How to Be Your Best? Know Thyself.

It’s possible to go through your life reacting to circumstances and doing what needs to be done in the moment, which is certainly necessary to a degree. But if you want more intentionality in your life, if you want to make the most of being who you are, then self-awareness is key. Most people think they are pretty self-aware, but chances are they are not as aware as they think.

 

If you want to be self-aware, you need to understand yourself internally. How do you think and feel? What are you naturally good at? What inspires you? What do you find to be meaningful? You also need to understand yourself externally—how do others perceive you?

 

When you are self-aware, you can tap into your authentic self and take advantage of your natural gifts. Because you do what you are naturally inclined to do, you can be more successful with less effort.

Marriage Counseling, Relationship Thereapy, Couples

 

Here are some suggestions for finding your best self:

 

1)    Cultivate your natural strengths. Years ago, a friend’s son came to her at graduation and apologized for not becoming a financial wiz with a huge signing bonus, like many of his college mates. He was an English literature major who loved books and became a very successful educator, happy in his work. Some of his friends, who tried to bend their talents to fit the trend of the time, received their bonuses, but it was downhill from there on.

2)    Leverage your personality traits. Understand how you think and feel by examining five traits: Are you generally open to new experiences? This could involve a curiosity about life, being creative, and willing to try new things. Are you naturally conscientious? You might be the responsible one, the organized one, the doer who gets things done. Are you an extrovert? If so, you are comfortable in social situations. You are willing to be assertive. Or you may be the opposite, an introvert. Are you congenial? If you have an agreeable personality, you generally trust and respect others and are empathetic. Are you a bit neurotic? Do you sometimes feel anxious or depressed? Being aware of your basic traits helps you become authentic and self-actualized.

3)    Find meaning in your life. Some people go their entire lifetime without finding purpose. Certainly, not everyone has an obvious passion. But if you pay attention to what feels the most satisfying to you, and listen to yourself, you have a chance. My friend’s son spent summers teaching children tennis. He combined that with a love of literature and found a very satisfying career as an educator. He found it deeply meaningful to connect with kids and introduce them to the wonders of the world of books. He took the time to reflect on experiences that moved him and spoke to him as an individual. He was not, like some of his classmates, trying to be someone he was not for the sake of money.

4)    Be open to change. People grow and evolve as they go through life, and therefore, you will change. You will learn new things. You will change your mind about things as you evolve. As you do, try to understand how you are different, and hopefully, improved. The more you are able to digest new information about yourself, the more you are able to increase your self-awareness and improve and grow as a human being.

 

 

Nancy Travers is an Orange County Counseling professional. If you need safe, effective counseling services, please get in touch. You can reach her here: https://www.nancyscounselingcorner.com/comtact

 

If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy exploring some of our other articles that dive deeper into the topics of relationships, communication, and emotional wellness. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your current connection, better understand co-dependency, or prepare for a healthy marriage, these related posts offer valuable insights and tools to support your journey. Take a look—you may find just what you need.

Related Posts

Is She/He Right for You?

In the rush of a new relationship, you stay up all night talking. You can’t stop thinking about him. And every minute you’re away from him seems to drag in slow motion. You’re in the first stage of love, and your hormones are racing. You can’t think straight. Because you are human, there’s no getting around your physical reaction. You are designed to bond, and in so doing, your body

Read More »

Gaslighting vs Respect

That’s a really important contrast to look at — gaslighting vs. respect in relationships — because they sit on totally opposite ends of the emotional health spectrum. 🔥 Gaslighting (Disrespect in Disguise) Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation where one person makes the other doubt their reality, memory, or feelings. It often looks like: “That never happened; you’re just being dramatic.” “You’re too sensitive.” “You’re overreacting.” Twisting facts to

Read More »

Where Is Your Soulmate?

Remember that great line from the movie, Jerry McGuire? The title character tells his girl, “You complete me”. Such a wonderful, romantic scene. And a wonderful, romantic notion: That your soul is only half there, and you travel the world until you meet the one person who completes the other half of you. Your soulmate. But that notion overlooks the truth. It takes time and energy to forge a healthy,

Read More »
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELING SERVICES

Find The Counseling Service That Is Right For You

At Nancy’s Counseling Corner, we’re here to support every stage of your relationship journey. Whether you’re navigating challenges in your marriage, preparing for lifelong commitment through premarital counseling, or working through the emotions of separation and divorce, our services are designed with care, compassion, and expertise. We specialize in Marriage Counseling, Relationship Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Divorce Counseling, Co-dependency Counseling—and so much more. No matter where you are, healing and growth are possible. Let’s take that next step—together.

Marriage & Couples Counseling

Marriage is a lifelong commitment that requires hard work, love, care, and understanding the needs of other people.

Relationship Counseling

Can help you find–and keep–the love of your life. Relationships are challenging and require an extensive amount of patience.

Divorce Counseling

Divorce Counseling is an emotional and strenuous thought for those seeking to solve marital problems.

Depression Counseling

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by at least 10-14 days of noticeable or recognizable low mood.

Co-dependency

“Codependency” is a term we hear thrown around a lot these days, though many of us aren’t sure exactly what it means.

Premarital Counseling

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Anxiety Counseling

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Meditation

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.

Hypnosis

Offers Premarital Counseling to couples in the Orange County area that are considering to get married or are already engaged.